COLCHESTER Hospital opened in 1984 at the cost of more than £16 million, and since then, vast sums of cash have been poured into the facility so it can continue serving Colchester’s budding population.
Even now, as it approaches its 40th birthday, there are ongoing projects to improve the hospital yet further.
The East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust (ESNEFT) is currently investing in a new elective orthopaedic centre which will cost £64 million, with the trust now devising plans to move the hospital’s day surgery unit and endoscopy unit into larger refurbished spaces.
But the biggest job was getting the hospital built in the first place.
Plans were first drawn up for the hospital as far back as 1962, but with the Department of Health holding the purse strings, it fell to the then Colchester MP Tony Buck to push for the facility’s construction.
After years of effort, the then social services secretary, David Ennals, pledged to get the project over the line.
During that time, however, Colchester felt like Essex’s poor relation.
Harlow’s Princess Alexandra Hospital opened in 1961, Barking Hospital opened in 1969, Southend General Hospital was rebuilt in 1971, and Basildon General Hospital opened in 1973.
Work finally began on what was then known as the Turner Village in 1981, with the first phase of the project involving a 700-bed hospital which would cover 60 acres of land.
Long before ESNEFT became an acronym, the body overseeing the new hospital was known as NETRHA, or the North East Thames Regional Health Authority.
Naturally, there were stumbles along the way – a faulty alarm system accounted for an eight-week delay – but builders handed the keys over in October 1984.
The first patient was admitted in December that year, and by May 1985, Queen Elizabeth II did the honours at the ceremonial opening.
With it turning 40 next year, it will be an opportunity for us all to thank the facility and its staff for everything they have done for the city over the years.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here